Arsenal have been dealt an injury blow ahead of the new season with the news that midfielder Jack Wilshere isn’t expected to return until at least October.

Wilshere missed the whole of last season after suffering complications in his recovery from an ankle fracture injury he aggravated during last summers pre-season. Initial hopes were that the 20-year-old would be fit in time to start the new season, but the England ace has so far been restricted to gym work and the Gunners have been reluctant to set a comeback date for the youngster.

However, speaking ahead of Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Hong Kong champions Kitchee FC, manager Arsene Wenger claimed it will be at least October before Wilshere is back in action again.

Quoted in the Guardian, Wenger said:

“Hopefully, we will get Wilshere back playing for October. With Abou Diaby returning, it will be like signing two new players. This season, the squad will be strong and competitive.”

The Guardian claim Wilshere will resume light training in August but a return to competitive football in October will rule him out of at least Arsenal’s first eight games, as well as England’s World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine.

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